Fixing GPS problems Thread

globatron · Jan 6, 2012

Ok, we have numerous reports of GPS not holding lock after upgrading to Honeycomb.

This thread is for the purpose of identifying the resolution to this issue.

To begin with I'll start with asking for details from those of you who are encountering the issue and also those who are not.

What I want to know is, what software you were running and also exactly how you got to that version. For example ist is not sufficient to say you did my S-OFF upgrade, I also need to know the device (wifi or 3g) and version of the upgrade you used and whether you switched from a different version of the software to your current version.

For example, something like this:

Not Working: US Wifi Flyer, S-OFF, originally upgraded with the WIFI package built from 3.55.405.1 3G package, re-flashed with the US wifi OTA.

Casual observation seems indicate that it is all or mostly Wifi flyers that are affected.

Kudzus · Jan 7, 2012

Had trouble with my US Wifi Flyer, S-OFF, originally upgraded with the WIFI package built from 3.55.405.1. Updated that to us OTA package and still had trouble.

Started all over downgraded to GB then went straight to Globatron’s latest (the big file)
Working now

globatron · Jan 7, 2012

Kudzus said:
Had trouble with my US Wifi Flyer, S-OFF, originally upgraded with the WIFI package built from 3.55.405.1. Updated that to us OTA package and still had trouble.

Started all over downgraded to GB then went straight to Globatron’s latest (the big file)
Working now

Thanks, this is consistent with my working assumption which is that it affects WIFI flyers that were flashed with the 3g ROM.

timropp · Jan 7, 2012

I have the US wifi flyer. S-Off, installed the 3.55.405.1 3G package followed by Leedroid rom. GPS was no good. Went back to the 3.55.405.1 3G package (from nandroid backup) and GPS no good.

Then installed the US WiFi rom. GPS is fine. Installed Leedroid and GPS is still fine.

vince2008 · Jan 7, 2012

hi globaltron,
US BB Wifi Flyer, S-OFF, originally upgraded with the HC WIFI package built from previous RUU_flyer_wifi_B10.zip, then installed LeeDrOiD HC V2.1.0 but GPS satellite lock wont stay on (dropping signal), tried all agps patches no go. Finally flashed new RUU_flyer_wifi_BBUS.B10.zip (2x) just to make sure over leedroid rom still the same results.

grippa · Jan 7, 2012

GPS Dropping

DEVICE: UK WIFI FLYER, 16GB

NOT WORKING: S-OFF, 3.55.401 - roms tried: LeeDroid, WestFire, Globatron's B09 (originally upgraded with the WIFI package built from 3.55.405.1 3G package)

NOT WORKING: S-OFF, 3.55.1114.31 - roms tried: HoneyPot, Globatron's B10

WORKING: S-ON, OTA 3.55.1114.31 (updated from Stock GB)

Also, worth noting that I (may) have experienced bluetooth problems. I use a OBD2 bluetooth adapter with my car and Torque App was having none of it with HC custom roms (including B09/B10). Basically, it connects to the OBD2 adapter, but but never negotiates the protocol. Works fine with GB and HC OTA. I could be alone on this since I don't trust the OBD2 adapter.

Navigation apps I use: CoPilot 8 & 9, Google Maps.

vince2008 · Jan 8, 2012

[QUOTE
WORKING: S-ON, OTA 3.55.1114.31 (updated from Stock GB)[/QUOTE]

so, with S-ON no GPS issues good to know. I have been trying to find a fix with no avail. I'm S-OFF US HC wifi rom.

globatron · Jan 8, 2012

no, it's not hboot.

DigitalMD · Jan 8, 2012

My observations using the GPS Status app.
DEVICE: US BB WIFI FLYER, 16GB

Working: GB stock rooted & GB Leedroid

NOT WORKING: S-OFF, 3.55.1114.31 All configurations below
1. Globatron's B09 (originally upgraded with the WIFI package built from 3.55.405.1 3G package).
2. Globatron's B10 Cross-grade from Globatron's B09 Wifi
3. Globatron's B10 full clean install of US Wifi RUU over Globatron's B09 Wifi .

Not tested : HC OTA update from GB

Setup: Turn off screen timeout. Open GPS status or another app that uses GPS that shows you status constantly.

Symptoms to watch for:
GPS turns on and locks quite fast, first time will stay locked for 30 - 60 secs. Then it loses lock and starts searching, Acquires lock again in a few seconds, then loses lock again after about 10 sec. repeats the loss of lock from this point acquiring and then losing lock every few seconds.

Tried clearing AGPS data and re-downloading, no help.

MePascal · Jan 8, 2012

Referring to DigitalMD's post above

I have the BestBuy WiFi 16GB Flyer
I purshed it stock and took the OTA HC update.
Over the last two days I have since Rooted S-Off and am running Globatron's US Wifi RUU build.

Before I rooted my GPS did not maintain lock. It was symptomatic like your findings.
After I rooted and flashed HC, GPS was still symptomatic.

I have since edited the /system/etc/gps.conf folder.
The first string of text by default is:
NTP_SERVER=north-america.pool.ntp.org
I have changed it to read:
NTP_SERVER=us.pool.ntp.org

I used Root Explore and long pressed the gps.conf file and selected open in text editor. Make and save changes and reboot.

Having owned the HTC Thunderbolt, that device was plagued with similar GPS issues and this was a fix that was offered up in other threads here at XDA.

vince2008 · Jan 8, 2012

MePascal said:
Referring to DigitalMD's post above

I have the BestBuy WiFi 16GB Flyer
I purshed it stock and took the OTA HC update.
Over the last two days I have since Rooted S-Off and am running Globatron's US Wifi RUU build.

Before I rooted my GPS did not maintain lock. It was symptomatic like your findings.
After I rooted and flashed HC, GPS was still symptomatic.

I have since edited the /system/etc/gps.conf folder.
The first string of text by default is:
NTP_SERVER=north-america.pool.ntp.org
I have changed it to read:
NTP_SERVER=us.pool.ntp.org

I used Root Explore and long pressed the gps.conf file and selected open in text editor. Make and save changes and reboot.

Having owned the HTC Thunderbolt, that device was plagued with similar GPS issues and this was a fix that was offered up in other threads here at XDA.

thanks, will try this now.....

DigitalMD · Jan 8, 2012

Have you tried observing the actual status using a GPS status app? It may relock fast enough to satisfy some programs like Google maps and navigation even if it unlocks every few seconds.

MePascal · Jan 8, 2012

Confirmed:

Monitored the GPS lock through the GPS Status App.
I have kept a solid lock status.

DigitalMD · Jan 8, 2012

Theoretically that should not be enough to keep it locked , but might help achieve first lock faster. This is a strange problem so I don't know whats going on.

vince2008 · Jan 8, 2012

edited gps.config to NTP_SERVER=us.pool.ntp.org same results no go for me.

grippa · Jan 8, 2012

could it be a possible power saving related issue?

cnewsgrp · Jan 8, 2012

NOT WORKING:
1.Lee Droid
2. Globatron's B10 full clean install of US Wifi RUU over Lee Droid.

Not tested : HC OTA update from GB

Setup: Drive around with Flyer. It loses GPS consistantly every 1-2 minutes.

Symptoms to watch for:
GPS turns on and locks quite fast, first time will stay locked for 30 - 60 secs. Then it loses lock and starts searching, Acquires lock again in a few seconds, then loses lock again after about 10 sec. repeats the loss of lock from this point acquiring and then losing lock every few seconds.

Kudzus · Jan 9, 2012

DigitalMD said:
Have you tried observing the actual status using a GPS status app? It may relock fast enough to satisfy some programs like Google maps and navigation even if it unlocks every few seconds.

Could someone try this for me … open the locations app and allow it to find you. Wait for the GPS icon, at the bottom to disappear, exit that app and open GPS Status … see if you maintain lock

Elim · Jan 9, 2012

A-GPS as cause?

Maybe I overlook it but what I see, is the problem a 3G ROM on a WiFi version. I am not an gps-expert but is this not normal because we have a A-GPS which is using also 3G and WiFi signals for a proper GPS signal?

I will check this theory and maybe it has nothing to do with the ROM-Version but with the build.prop and other specific GPS stuff which expect a proper 3G.

PS. And yes, I am no fan from removing some phone apps to have a WiFi-version. This is dirty and I am not sure but maybe this problem is the outcome.

grippa · Jan 9, 2012

Elim said:
Maybe I overlook it but what I see, is the problem a 3G ROM on a WiFi version. I am not an gps-expert but is this not normal because we have a A-GPS which is using also 3G and WiFi signals for a proper GPS signal?

I will check this theory and maybe it has nothing to do with the ROM-Version but with the build.prop and other specific GPS stuff which expect a proper 3G.

PS. And yes, I am no fan from removing some phone apps to have a WiFi-version. This is dirty and I am not sure but maybe this problem is the outcome.

As you said, A-GPS or Assisted GPS relies on a data connection to acquire some satellite information to make the lock faster. Therefore, it makes sense, if it was not as stable with out a 3G connection on the move.

But then again, whats confusing is that, it is stable on gingerbread, at least for me. but not on Honeycomb. i'm always tethered to my phone on the move, so A-GPS should work normally.

*EDIT: I forgot to mention, it happens on both the 3G HC ROM and WiFi HC ROM.

Fixing GPS problems Thread

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